Losin' it at the Lost & Found

Losin' it at the Lost & Found

I have a kid who loses everything. And when I say everything, I mean that he once came home without shoes. When I asked what happened to them, he was not entirely sure. I don't know if this is a boy thing or not. Maybe he is too involved with his video games and electronics. All I know is that if I sent my daughter to school wearing my diamond wedding ring, I could rest assured that it would make it back in one piece. As for the boy—never. His lunch boxes don't even survive most days.

In the summer, this means lots of lost towels, goggles and sunscreen. That I can live with. The winter is a little harder. The winter requires a lot more paraphernalia which is quite easy to lose: gloves, hats, scarves, snow boots, snow pants, and the dreaded winter coat. Each winter, we usually go through 8-10 pairs of gloves, 7-8 hats, 5-6 fleece hoodies, at least 2 pairs of snow boots and (sadly) we may even have to kiss the winter coat goodbye. Now, this one is harder to say goodbye to because winter coats are expensive! Also, your kid will most certainly freeze to death without one. My husband has suggested making him go without the coat to teach him a lesson. That proposition sounds tempting until social services comes knocking on the door to conduct an investigation.

It is for these reasons (the cost, the potential for hypothermia, and the avoidance of prison time) that, at least twice per winter, I am forced to visit the most disgusting, revolting and vile place known to elementary schools worldwide! It's called: